Manchester-based commercial set Merchant Chambers is merging with St John's Buildings. All ten members of Merchant Chambers and their pupils will transfer to 80-tenant strong St John's Buildings, where they will be known as MerchantGroup@SJB and continue to have their own dedicated clerking team.

David Berkley QC, one of Merchant's founders, who will continue to lead the team at St John's Buildings, said: 'The legal landscape has shifted considerably since 1996 when we founded Merchant Chambers. In an increasingly competitive marketplace there are significant crossover benefits to be gained from partnership with a set the size and quality of St John's Buildings.'


St John's Buildings' head of chambers, Michael Redfern QC, said: 'The merger now completes the foundation of St John's Building as a "super set".'


Mr Redfern, who will remain head of chambers, said the set plans to develop mental health and environmental practice groups alongside its civil, commercial, employment, crime, and family practice groups.


The Merchant Chambers team will move to St John's Buildings' offices in September.